3 teachers for 8 classes! Students stage protest in Odisha over teacher

At a time when the Odisha government is making tall claims of laying emphasis on bringing the government schools at par with the private schools, there are several such schools that are still struggling with lack of teachers and infrastructure.

Radhakanta Jew Primary School at Madiali village under Bhandaripokhari tehsil in Bhadrak district is a case in point. 

Here, at the school, students and parents have launched an indefinite dharana demanding appointment of teachers.
 
This school has over 150 students reading in eight classes. But education here seems to have taken a back seat due to shortage of teachers. The situation has come to such a pass that only three teachers are taking care of the eight classes. 

On several occasions, the villagers and parents have reportedly taken the matter up with the concerned officials but to no avail. 

With no option left, students and parents decided to stage a dharana for an indefinite period.
 
“The school has been facing the teacher shortage problem for the last three years. We have already visited the block education office for seven times but nothing has been done to address the problem,” said a parent, Ajit Kumar Jena. 

“The school has three teachers. One is a headmaster and the rest two are teaching students. How can two teachers manage the eight classes,” asked Jena.

Meanwhile, comments of the concerned authorities could not be obtained on the matter.